Olympic runner Liz Yelling will be returning to defend her record success at Wokingham Half Marathon next month.

Ms Yelling missed last year’s race but will head to Cantley Park in Twyford Road as one of the 2,750-strong list of entrants to the race on Sunday, February 21.

Organiser Peter Evans said: “Last year she took the year off to have her little baby, Ruby, but this time she’ll be back.”

She was women’s winner in the 2008 Wokingham Half Marathon recording 71 minutes and nine seconds and beating the next woman by six minutes.

There is a £500 prize for beating the course record. The 2009 men’s winner was David Webb, who came home in 64 minutes 50 seconds.

There are also trophies for best men’s and ladies’ teams, the first Wokingham man, the first Wokingham woman, and prizes for the children’s fun run, which takes place after the half marathon runners have left Cantley Park.

This year marks the 25th Wokingham Half Marathon. Last year’s event had to be postponed until May after icy conditions meant it would have been dangerous for runners.

If the same happens again, the runner’s entries will be transferred to 2011 and the run will not be rescheduled.

Organiser Peter Evans said: “We have got insurance and if we do have to cancel it, we’re not reorganising. The most awkward thing about changing the date last year was actually finding a day when St John Ambulance could come along. In the end we had to import a few volunteers from Oxford.”

Proceeds from the race go to charity and last year’s run raised £7,500, a drop on previous years.

“It was down on normal but still quite pleasing,” Mr Evans said.

As always, between 60 and 70 marshals are needed to make sure the day goes smoothly, stewarding runners and manning the 29 marshalling points.

In return for their efforts, they receive free transport, lunch afterwards and a free entry into the 2011 race.

Mr Evans said: “We have the usual sources for marshals but extra people are always welcomed, too.”

Elite men’s race runners this year include John McFarlane, Kevin Skinner and Nicholas Torrey.

The women’s runners will include the first three finishers last year – winner Sarah Gee, Niamh Devlin and Leslie Whiley.